When it’s all too much…

”More and more I heard the words: ‘Stop what you are doing now – all this luxury and consumerism – and start your real life’. I had the feeling I was working as a slave for things that I did not wish for or need.”

These are the words of Austrian tycoon Karl Rabeder, 47, who is giving away every penny of his $5.3 million) fortune, having realized that his riches made him unhappy.

Karl’s plan is to live onabout $1500.00 a month. He has set up a microlending NGO that will offer small loans and advice to self-employed people in El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile. His “enough” led him to investing himself in making life better for others. What would you do if you realized you have enough?

I guess you could say it would be easy for him to downsize a bit, but his choice is radical. He let go of everything but a small monthly stipend – and according to him, it’s liberating.

Mr Rabeder said he had felt ”free, the opposite of heavy”….I was just listening to the voice of my heart and soul.”

This certainly has been my experience since I declared “enoughness” years ago. Yes, due to illness and a significant change in my living circumstances I’ve created a side business for supplemental income, but I can engage with this work in a spirit of curiosity and service since my basic nest egg could suffice if need be.

It’s this “freedom of enough” I’m trying to capture in my classes and writing and speaking and I hope you’ll come to the freebie on February 23.

Welcome. Below you will find a biography of Vicki Robin (and tribute to her coauthor Joe Dominguez) and links to her past work with the New Road Map Foundation and her current work teaching about Money, Happiness, Enough and Community. Please click the links and explore the world Vicki has ... Continue reading →

Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

New stories, stats and examples. Updated advice on saving and investing. New coauthor: Monique Tilford, 20-year leader in sustainable consumption field. In this global economic crunch, the perennial and practical wisdom in Your Money or Your Life is even more relevant.